Boehner Seeks ‘Common Ground’ In Obama’s Job Plan

(CNSNews.com) -- House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), told reporters today, that he will keep his eyes open for "common ground" in the job package that President Obama is expected to lay out before a joint-session of Congress tonight.

"I’m hopeful that after the president gives his speech that we’ll be able to sit down in a bi-partisan way and find common ground that will help improve the economy and improve the job picture for the American people," the House Speaker said.

Boehner later added, "I think it’s important for us to wait and listen to what the president has to outline and do so in a way where in my case, I’m going to be looking for -- where is the common ground? What is it that we can agree on? We know that the two parties aren’t going to agree on everything, but the American people want us to find common ground and I’ll be looking for it."

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) . (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The Republican House Speaker said he has pushed for his colleagues to attend the president’s speech when asked about some GOP members planning to skip Obama’s address.

"I have encouraged my colleagues to come tonight and to listen to the president. He is the president of the United States and I believe that all members ought to be here and do this," said Boehner. "It doesn’t mean they’re going to, remember I’m just the Speaker all right, I got 434 colleagues who have their own opinions and they’re entitled to them, but as an institution the president is coming at our invitation, we ought to be respectful and we ought to welcome him."

According to several news reports, the plan is expected to include an extension of the payroll tax holiday, new tax for businesses that hire individuals, an extension of unemployment benefits, funding for more infrastructure projects and other spending projects. It is expected to come at total cost of at least $300 billion.